CO2 Sorbent Regeneration Control Using Renewable Energy Thresholds
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carbon dioxide capture methods from air require significant energy consumption, which often leads to additional carbon dioxide emissions, limiting their effectiveness in achieving net-zero emissions and reducing global temperature increase.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage process for carbon dioxide capture and sorbent regeneration, utilizing a process control system connected to a power supply network to initiate heat treatment steps based on defined threshold values, integrating a heat pump and heat storage units to optimize energy use from renewable sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional carbon dioxide capture methods are used continuously, then carbon dioxide separation is achieved, but energy consumption increases and additional carbon dioxide emissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic operation of the carbon dioxide capture plant, alternating between capture phases and shutdown phases. The plant operates only when renewable energy availability exceeds a defined threshold, creating periodic action patterns that reduce overall energy consumption while maintaining carbon dioxide separation productivity during active periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameter from continuous operation to threshold-based operation. By monitoring renewable energy availability as a variable parameter and comparing it against a threshold value, the system dynamically adjusts its operation state (on/off) to optimize the balance between energy consumption and carbon dioxide separation efficiency
2Productivity
If the capture plant operates continuously, then carbon dioxide is separated efficiently, but renewable energy availability may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control mechanism where the actual renewable energy availability is continuously monitored and compared against a predefined threshold value. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed decisions about operation status, ensuring that carbon dioxide separation only occurs when sufficient renewable energy is available, thus maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary assessment of renewable energy availability before initiating carbon dioxide capture operations. By evaluating energy conditions in advance and comparing them against threshold requirements, the system prepares and authorizes operation only when conditions are favorable, preventing energy shortage issues during capture processes
3Loss of energy
If a threshold-based control system is implemented, then energy consumption is optimized, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control process into distinct functional modules: a monitoring unit for tracking renewable energy availability, a comparison unit for evaluating threshold conditions, and a control unit for executing operation decisions. This segmentation simplifies the overall control architecture by breaking down the threshold-based control system into manageable, independent components with clear interfaces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Reduces energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by aligning process steps with available renewable energy, enabling efficient and CO₂-neutral carbon dioxide separation from gas mixtures.
Implementation Method 1
the gas mixture is combined with a sorbent, whereby the carbon dioxide contained in the gas mixture is absorbed by the sorbent, forming a sorbate
Implementation Method 2
the sorbate is heated to a temperature above a sorption temperature, whereby the carbon dioxide is desorbed from the sorbate
Implementation Method 3
the sorbate is heated to a temperature above a sorption temperature
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for separating carbon dioxide (2) from a gas mixture (4), wherein the gas mixture (4) is combined with a sorbent (6), the carbon dioxide (2) contained in the gas mixture (4) is sorbed by the sorbent (6), forming a sorbate (8), and in a heat treatment step (10) the sorbate (8) is heated to a temperature above a sorption temperature, the carbon dioxide (2) is desorbed from the sorbate (8), and the recovered sorbent (6) is again combined with the gas mixture (4), characterized in that a process control system (12) is provided, which is connected to a power supply network (14), a threshold value (16) for a state variable (18) of the power supply network (14) is set, and the heat treatment step (10) for desorption of the carbon dioxide is then initiated by the process control system (12).when the threshold (16) is reached.